Not having an amazing experience at uni? You're not alone.

Robert Medhurst spent most of his freshers' week scrolling through digital networks, reading posts about fellow students partying.

"I was just in bed," Robert explains, describing the week as the most isolated period of his life.

Robert's flatmates didn't go out much, and his program didn't seem especially friendly.

Although he tried by attending trial events for different clubs, he didn't discover people he connected with.

"I gradually lost my self-assurance," he says. "I felt like people didn't want to be friends with me, or they weren't fond of me."

Social Media Comparisons

At first, Robert didn't plan of attending college and had a job offer for after sixth form.

Yet he saw his friends having great fun as college students online.

"When you need to wake up for your job during the week at 9:00 and you notice others went out on midweek, you start feeling others have it better," Robert explains.

University Expectations

Television programs and digital networks can idealize the notion of student life.

Lots of people come to university with strong assumptions for what they believe could be the most wonderful time of their lives.

Various learners come to university with "rose-tinted glasses," says a support services coordinator.

Research Results

• According to research of new students initially, students' biggest concern was finding their place and being accepted
• Additional research by market research agencies, a significant minority said they were without companions at university
• Over one-third reported they felt anxious regularly about forming friendships

Personal Experiences

Alisha Miah's online videos was populated with clips of peers socializing while living together in student houses.

But when she transferred from her hometown to university to pursue media studies, she found initial days "intense" because of how much alcohol it involved.

She avoids drinking and had not experienced nightlife before.

"I did spend a lot of freshers' week in my room," she says. "I just felt somewhat isolated."

Mental Health Considerations

According to recent research of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, a significant portion mentioned they had considered withdrawing from studies.

The most common reason was their mental and emotional health, succeeded by financial concerns.

"Anxiety about these various aspects is massively common, and normal," adds a support specialist.

Discovering Answers

Over periods, Robert, Alisha and Christina gradually adjusted and formed relationships.

Alisha made friends via her studies and through TikTok, while another student became more content once she was able to relocate with companions.

Practical Advice

For Robert, currently in his mid-twenties and in his last year, it was engaging in performance groups and employment during studies that supported social connection.

Robert's advice to beginning learners finding social interaction difficult is to venture outside your living space and go to club and society taster events.

"After a few weeks of regular attendance, people recognise your face," he mentions, "you notice their presence, and relationships start developing."